MELBOURNE.- The National Gallery of Victoria’s blockbuster exhibition Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei closed this week with a final attendance of 399,127, making it the highest-selling ticketed exhibition in the NGV’s history.

Director Tony Ellwood said, ‘We are delighted so many Victorians and visitors to the NGV celebrated the art of two of the most significant artists of the 20th and 21st century and the connections between their practices. The artists championed causes that were critical to their generations and did so with great bravery and artistic merit.

‘Both artists have explored contemporary life, art and politics in profound and inventive ways and it has been exciting to see their observations resonate with our audiences.’

Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei was developed by the NGV and The Andy Warhol Museum, with the participation of Ai Weiwei, and explored the significant influence of these two exemplary artists on modern art and contemporary life, focusing on the parallels between the two artists’ practices.

Surveying the scope of both artists’ careers, the exhibition at the NGV presented more 300 works, including major new commissions, immersive installations and a wide representation of paintings, sculpture, film, photography, publishing and social media.

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said, ‘This world premiere exhibition attracted local, national and international attention and acclaim, but its success amounts to much more than just incredible ticket sales.’

‘The exhibition brought people of all ages up close to world-renowned contemporary art, demonstrating why our NGV is Australia’s most popular gallery and why Victoria is the creative state.’

The exhibition will travel to The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, opening on 4 June 2016.